From: Winter Dellenbach
To: Council, City
Subject: For Study Session Monday Nov. 11
Date: Sunday, November 17, 2024 3:54:06 PM
To: City Council Members
From: Winter Dellenbach
Date: For 11-18-2024 Council meeting
RE: IPA & PAPD Study Session with City Council
Independent Police Auditor (IPA), Jan 1 - May 31, 2024
Body Worn Cameras
Disappointingly, body worn cameras were never activated 9 times or late into during an incident.
Use of these cameras has been a vital check on police excesses or exoneration, and are evidentiary of criminal activity or its absence. Unfailing timely use is critical to good policing in Palo Alto.
IPA Recommendation #9
“PAPD should focus managerial attention on ways of ensuring that officers are meeting policy expectations regarding use and activation of body-worn cameras.” My Recommendation: #9 seems amorphous. Please ask what specifically what will be done to cure this situation?
Less Lethal Projectile Use
Deploying a less lethal projectile, here a SAGE round, commonly termed a “rubber bullet”, shot off part of a person’s finger. What type of SAGE was used is unknown (there are several).
Less lethal doesn’t mean injury or death can’t occur - use may result in either, though it can be safer than shot with a firearm.
My Recommendation: We need to be better informed about SAGE use. I encourage you to ask for information specifically about the type of SAGE used that blew off part of a person’s finger.
Several Officers simultaneously pointed firearms at this person which was reported.
Audit Suggestions for the Independent Police Auditor (IPA) It would be valuable to have the IPA perform an audit of PAPD Field Training or body worn camera use.
My Recommendation: I urge you to ask the IPA about both, then consider having one performed.
++++++++++++++
PAPD Use of Force Report for Jan 1 - June 30, 2024
There were a total of six use of force cases during the first half of 2024 by Officers using physical strength alone. This resulted in injury beyond what could be treated in the field to all 6 persons.
The race of these 6 subjects was:
Black (3), White (1), Hispanic (1), and Other (1).
While a small sample, it is consistent with prior demographic reporting showing use of force more often used on Black and Hispanic people.
Additionally, PAPD firearm pointing, or stopping individuals is more often experienced by Black and Hispanic persons than Whites or Asians.
Taser Use
Taser use in 2022, 2023 and first half of 2024 is zero. Use of Tasers may result in injury or death.
Before 2022, Tasers use was not unusual.
My Recommendation: Ask what accounts for this fairly dramatic change in Taser use? +++++++++++++
TRUST
County officials now have a direct, 24/7 hotline to reach TRUST (the Trusted Response Urgent Support Team), a mental health crisis team that rolls out in vans across the county to de-escalate emergencies and provide resources and assistance to individuals and their family members. It does so without the presence of police.
Those in mental health crisis can now call the direct line at 408-596-7290. This is a huge improvement to simplifying access to TRUST services.
My Recommendation: I urge the PAPD to post this direct number on its website in an appropriate place, so those in crisis may easily and quickly access it.